Charter school bill would benefit state education
By JENNIFER PALMBERG
University High School at Fresno State is a great example of how charter schools and universities can thrive together and provide a better education system.
Yes, it is annoying to have to weave between the high school students when you are traveling to and from the education building, but think of how much good the school is doing for society as a whole by educating these kids better.
Senate Bill 844, by Sen. Chuck Poochigian, failed on a 6-4 vote, even with support from Gov. Schwarzennegger.
So why did the Senate Education Committee turn down the opportunity for universities to have the power to authorize and develop these charter systems on their own for the third time in a row?
They said they turned it down because they feared it would give too much power to higher-education institutions.
But there is nothing wrong with higher-education institutions having more power if it aids and develops a better education system for pre-college students.
Especially not in California, where it is almost necessary for public high schools to be gated in like minimum- security prisons to prevent kids from coming and going whenever they please during the school day.
Right now, charters are usually formed by parents seeking an alternative to sending their kids to public schools. Can you blame them for wanting to do that?
And under current law, the state Board of Education and county offices of education can approve or deny any of the petitions for charter schools.
Right now, the charter schools are independent of the school district. If the bill had passed, these charter schools would be working and cooperating with school districts.
That seems to make a lot more sense than randomly developing a charter school anywhere, with no ties to the encompassing school district. California is not taking education concerns seriously and the denial of Senate Bill 844 is just further proof of that.
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